Summary
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.
Summary
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.
Qualifications
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Basic Requirements
- United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
- Language: Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
- Education: See the Education section of this Job Announcement
- Licensure: Hold a full - current - and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth of the United States - or the District of Columbia
- Exception
- Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment as a ""graduate psychologist"" at the GS-11 or GS- 12 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C.
- 7405 [(c)(2)(B)] for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that such a psychologist provide care only under the supervision of a psychologist who is licensed
- Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment
- Loss of Credential
- A psychologist who fails to maintain the required licensure must be removed from the occupation - which may result in termination of employment
- At the discretion of the appointing official - an employee may be reassigned to another occupation if qualified and if a placement opportunity exists
- Board Certification and Loss of Credential: Board Certification
- Persons hired to psychology positions in the VHA who completed an internship that was not accredited at the time the program was completed must be board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed
- The board certificate must be current and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirement for continuing education
- Loss of Credential
- Once board certified - psychologist must maintain a full - valid and unrestricted board certification to remain qualified for employment
- A psychologist who fails to maintain the required board certification must be removed from the occupation - which may result in termination of employment
- At the discretion of the appointing official - an employee may be reassigned to another occupation if qualified and if a placement opportunity exists
- Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA as a psychologist on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education (i.e. - degree and internship requirements) and licensure/certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
- Employees grandfathered under this provision for this revision may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions or beyond the assignment currently held for those being grandfathered to assignments above FPL.] Psychologists who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
- Psychologists initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
- NOTE: If psychologists who are grandfathered under this provision leave the occupation - the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
- GS11 Grade Requirements: Experience: None beyond the basic requirements
- GS12 Grade Requirements: Experience: At least one year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11)
- Psychologists